There are many, many people in this country who have pushed religion aside as a way to bring meaning into their lives. I have read many places that religion is dangerous, cult-ish, and that unchecked fundamentalism of any stripe is to be feared. At some levels, each of these assertions is true and can't be argued away. So be it. I believe, however, that religion, and the practice thereof, has been given a bum rap (pardon the seventies jargon), and that what passes for most mainline religion in the world is dangerous. Dangerous in the sense that people are separated, segregated and pigeonholed by it, mostly because of the idea that one is "chosen" along with one's sect, denomination or movement.
It isn't supposed to be this way, at least not in my view. In a world that is hardly predictable or always visible, how can people make such absolute statements that reach beyond anything in the observable, verifiable realm? Is it any wonder that science and secular humanism are so easily embraced against a backdrop of religious beliefs with their language and philosophy rooted, if not fixed, in the middle ages? God, the thing we describe with those three letters, can not be described, yet there are many who know with objective clarity what it is that this thing thinks and desires, and unless we follow along with them, we are dust.
Sorry. I disagree. The basis of my disagreement lies in reason. Is reason a gift from God or is it of the devil? Is there a devil powerful enough to create reason which may be used against God? Is there really any point in discussing these things at all? It always seems to end up turning a wheel that can not be stopped at any definitive point. Which brings me to Jesus. This, I think, is what he was trying to get us to understand. Turning oneself inside out over such matters is fruitless. Did not he not explain this to the pharisees and others? Are we, am I, any different when making absolute claims on behalf of the omniscient?
This stuff creates a major barrier between those of us who are search for meaning in this life, and those who are deluded by fear. More on this later. I invite comment.
Peace.